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Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 11, 2014
5,632
2,347
USA
I'm using my Mac to do some things, and I need help.

In Numbers, I have a column of many numbers. For example like A2 through A3 like below:

A

2 250
3 350


I need to multiply each of those numbers by 4, so that they appear in B2 through B3 like below

A B

2 250 1000
3 350 1400

Right now I'm manually having to enter each command in column B like: Product A2*4
 
Right now I'm manually having to enter each command in column B like: Product A2*4
This is an easy one for me... Not a knock, it's that I've been using Excel since '88...

Enter your formula in your column's topmost cell - actually, any cell in that column would do but I'm sticking with the topmost cell for this bit - and press Command-Enter (which enters the data and doesn't move the active cell focus). Now, you have two options - EITHER:
Move your mouse to the bottom border of that active cell, and you'll see a small amber "dot" - click on that dot and drag downward. Your formula will propagate into the cells that you are highlighting in your dragging action. When you stop dragging and release your mouse/trackpad, the fill of the formula range is complete. You can also continue this dragging option as many times as you see fit. BUT, this is the slow way and not how I propagate data from cell to cell...
OR
Copy (Copy Command) your active cell. Press the Command and Shift Keys, then the Down Arrow Key - this keystroke combination will highlight the cells from your starting point to the very bottom of your spreadsheet. Then, use the Paste Command - the formula will propagate and the cell references be incremented accordingly.

This series of actions/commands should take you but a few seconds, if that. I prefer Excel, mainly the Windows version, as I'm often using this type of action, but on multiple spreadsheets in a workbook. Cheers.
 
This is an easy one for me... Not a knock, it's that I've been using Excel since '88...

Enter your formula in your column's topmost cell - actually, any cell in that column would do but I'm sticking with the topmost cell for this bit - and press Command-Enter (which enters the data and doesn't move the active cell focus). Now, you have two options - EITHER:
Move your mouse to the bottom border of that active cell, and you'll see a small amber "dot" - click on that dot and drag downward. Your formula will propagate into the cells that you are highlighting in your dragging action. When you stop dragging and release your mouse/trackpad, the fill of the formula range is complete. You can also continue this dragging option as many times as you see fit. BUT, this is the slow way and not how I propagate data from cell to cell...
OR
Copy (Copy Command) your active cell. Press the Command and Shift Keys, then the Down Arrow Key - this keystroke combination will highlight the cells from your starting point to the very bottom of your spreadsheet. Then, use the Paste Command - the formula will propagate and the cell references be incremented accordingly.

This series of actions/commands should take you but a few seconds, if that. I prefer Excel, mainly the Windows version, as I'm often using this type of action, but on multiple spreadsheets in a workbook. Cheers.

Thank you! You're a hero!
 
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